Seven-year NFL wide receiver Sammy Watkins has signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Watkins, a former first-round pick, spent the last three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Watkins was the fourth overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Sammy Watkins to the Ravens – 1 year 6mil (5mil fully guaranteed), per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2021
Sammy Watkins, Baltimore Ravens, Agree to Contract
Sammy Watkins has always been known as a starting quality receiver that never lived up to his draft status. After being drafted by the Buffalo Bills fourth overall, he lasted just three seasons before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams. In return, the Bills received defensive back E.J. Gaines and a 2018 second round pick. Gaines has been out of the league since the start of the 2019 season.
During his three seasons in Buffalo, Watkins recorded 2459 receiving yards on 153 receptions with 17 touchdowns. He averaged an impressive 16 yards per reception to go along with 109 recorded first downs. Watkins missed the final eight games of the 2016 season due to a broken foot that required surgery.
After spending one season with the Rams, Watkins signed a three-year contract with the Chiefs. In his three seasons with the Chiefs, Watkins logged 1613 yards on 129 receptions with eight touchdowns. Those numbers are certainly night and day from his time in Buffalo, though he has had much more team success in Kansas City.
Injuries have plagued Watkins throughout the course of his entire career. He has also yet to play a full 16 game season since his rookie year. The days of Watkins being considered a #1 receiver are certainly over. His greatest value now will be the championship experience he can bring to whichever team signs him. You can not bank on him for much more than that until he proves he can stay healthy for an entire season. However, he is more than capable of being a “piece” on a well-constructed championship team.
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